TOUR OPTIONS

BEFORE THE REUNIONS – NORTH ISLAND TOUR
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Visiting Auckland, Waitomo, Rotorua and Wellington, then crossing Cook Strait by ferry, through the Marlborough Sounds to Picton, south along the coast to Kaikoura and finishing in Christchurch. 

Start Auckland, finish Christchurch, 7 days (6 nights). 

Price NZ$1,900 per person (double/twin-share). Single-room supplement NZ$480.

BETWEEN THE REUNIONS

A trip from Christchurch to Lake Tekapo, Mount Cook, Queenstown, Dunedin and Timaru, returning to Christchurch.

(To be confirmed)

AFTER THE REUNIONS – SOUTH ISLAND TOUR 
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Visiting Hanmer Springs, the West Coast glacier region, Queenstown, Fiordland National Park (Milford Sound or Doubtful Sound), Dunedin, Oamaru and ending in Christchurch. 

Start and finish in Christchurch, 9 days (8 nights).

Price NZ$2,000 per person (double/twin-share).  Single-room supplement NZ$640.

Day 1 – Start in Auckland

Depending on your arrival flights, let’s start the tour by exploring a few of the city hot-spots such as Mt Eden (for 360-degree city views) and Viaduct Harbour waterfront area, before driving out of the city to a vineyard café for a little wine-tasting and lunch. Continue to Muriwai Beach on the west coast and take an easy walk to view a large colony of Australasian gannets. Enjoy the wildlife and wonderful views of the Tasman Sea before returning to the city (all activities included).   (L)

Day 2 – Auckland (via Waitomo) to Rotorua

Depart Auckland this morning and drive south to Waitomo village for a guided trip into a natural limestone cave. Inside the cave we will learn about the limestone formations and tiny glow-worms, lighting up the roof of the cave (involves gentle walking, suitable for all ages, extra cost, must be pre-booked). We continue to Rotorua where we stay for the next 2 nights.   (B)

Day 3 – Rotorua

The city of Rotorua is located on a thin part of the Earth’s crust and so is subject to regular and ongoing volcanic activity. It’s also an important centre for Maori culture. There are many options for you select from today: visit the Rotorua museum, explore a volcanic hot-spot, take a tour of a Maori village, go fishing on the lake or river, scenic flight... (all extra cost).  (B)

Day 4 – Rotorua to Wellington

Depart Wellington and drive south to Lake Taupo for morning tea and a visit to the mighty Huka Falls. Continue through the Central Plateau to Chateau Tongariro for lunch, then to Waiouru for a visit the National Army Museum (extra cost). Our final destination today is Wellington city.   (B,L)

Day 5 – Wellington

There’s so much to do in our capital city: drive to the top of Mt Victoria for great city and harbour views; visit the “Te Papa” National Museum; ride up the Cable Car to the Botanic Gardens; take a 1-hour tour of Parliament… You can pick and choose on the day (some free, others small extra cost). Overnight Wellington.  (B)

Day 6 – Wellington via Blenheim to Kaikoura

This morning board an inter-island ferry for a cruise across Cook Strait to the South Island. The Marlborough region boasts New Zealand’s biggest wine region so it seems appropriate to test a few different Sauvignon Blancs and Chardonnays (included). We then drive south alongside the Pacific Ocean to Kaikoura. Spot some fur-seals resting in the sunshine, perhaps a short walk onto the Peninsula headland, and/or take a scenic flight to view whales as they surface just off the coast (whale-flight extra cost, must be pre-booked). Overnight Kaikoura.   (B)

Day 7 – Kaikoura to Christchurch

Our final day sees us continue the drive south through North Canterbury farmland to Christchurch. Let’s visit a farm for a light lunch (chance to milk a cow) before arriving in Christchurch mid-afternoon (3.00pm). Tonight’s accommodation is not included but can be arranged to match your Reunion accommodation.   (BL)

Day 1 – Christchurch to Hanmer Springs

Depart Christchurch at 9.30am. First up let's visit a winery in the Waipara region for tasting and morning tea. We then drive inland for lunch at Hurunui, and continue to the small village of Hanmer Springs. Visit the natural hot pools for a long, hot soak and overnight.  (L)

Day 2 – Hanmer Springs to Greymouth

We travel through the wilderness of the Lewis Pass this morning. First stop is the small town of Reefton which has a long and interesting history of mining. We then continue to the wild West Coast and head south to visit the Punakaiki Rocks & Blowholes . Apart from the spectacular views, if conditions are favourable we could see the blowholes spouting forth. Final stop today is Greymouth, the largest town on the coast.   (B)

Day 3 – Greymouth to Franz Josef/Fox Glacier

We continue south to Hokitika to explore the excellent gold, silver, jade, glass and wood craft shops before continuing to Franz Josef or Fox Glacier. Join your guide for an easy 60-minute walk to the face of this mighty river of ice. Overnight at Franz Josef or Fox.    (B)

Day 4 – Franz Josef/Fox Glacier to Wanaka

Continue south along the coast. Visit the South Westland Salmon Farm for delicious smoked salmon, then have lunch in Haast. Drive over the Haast Pass, stopping for excellent views and short walks during New Zealand’s most scenic 1-day journey. Overnight Wanaka.    (B)

Day 5 – Wanaka (via Queenstown) to Te Anau

Free time this morning to wander the lakefront or visit the NZ Fighter Pilots Museum. Then we drive to Queenstown for some free time, perhaps an optional cruise on the 'Lady of the Lake', the steamship TSS Earnslaw, launched in 1912. Continue to Te Anau and overnight.   (B)

Day 6 – Doubtful Sound OR Milford Sound Day-trip

Several options available for you today:
Option 1: Milford Sound day-trip with scenic cruise
Option 2: Doubtful Sound day-trip with cruise and visit to underground power station.
Return to Te Anau for the night.     (B)

Day 7 – Te Anau to Dunedin

Drive from Te Anau to Mandeville for lunch at The Moth Restaurant, perhaps visit the Croydon Aircraft museum or Moonshine Museum in Gore. Continue to Dunedin for the next 2 nights.   (B)

Day 8 – Day  exploring in and around Dunedin

Explore Dunedin with or without your guide. Lots of options: visit the First Church, Dunedin Museum, Olveston House in the city; or out on the Otago Peninsula: Larnach Castle and wildlife including the Royal Albatross, seals, penguins and many other seabirds. Overnight Dunedin.   (B)

Day 9 – Dunedin (via Oamaru) to Christchurch

Drive north and visit the unusual 60-million-year-old Moeraki Boulders, then the historic precinct of Oamaru before continuing to Christchurch (arriving 5.30pm).   (B)